Isa's Story

Isa has lived in Suzerain his entire life. His clan came to the Trade City a handful of generations ago and has been a part of the halfling enclave living in the Barswell neighborhood of the city's Mushtarak district. His clan owns a successful coffee house and hostel in the district and that success affords Isa's family a bit of comfort.
 
The young halfling's love for knowledge comes from his mother, a teacher. He learned at a young age that only by learning as much about the world around him can he gain the most complete understanding of it. His decision to dedicate his life to the pursuit of knowledge was met with delight by his mother but with disappointment by his father. As first-born, it was expected of Isa to follow in the family business but clearly that wasn't where his passions lay.
 
His father's disappointment eventually became resignation as Isa left home. He didn't go far; only a couple of miles across town to the temple of the god of knowledge, Zann the Learned. He dedicated himself to the faith and has lived there since.
 
Isa's talent for processing texts and distilling them for others gained him favor almost from the outset. He caught the eye of the head of the church, Mudari Aladrun Tzelgren, who took Isa on as an apprentice. After five years as an acolyte, Isa began to wonder about seeking more knowledge by exploring the world far and wide. With his mentor's blessing, he took to life as an adventurer.
 

Isa's Description and Mannerisms

Isa's almost always the most level-headed person in any group outside of his mosque. He's wise enough to consider multiple options, caring enough to administer healing to his allies when their foolhardiness gets them into trouble, and understanding enough to admonish his allies so as to not make them feel derided or preached to. All that he asks in return for his unwavering patience is that he gets first crack at any text or tome that they come across.
 
Isa bears the skin tone of any people who've lived in the heat and sun of a place like Suzerain for centuries. Apart from this, he's much like any halfling from anywhere on Azocar. He stands and even 3 feet in height and has brown eyes and dark-grey hair. The color of his hair is not due to aging as he is still very young. It's just that color. Isa does different from those of his ancestry in that he's a bit on the gaunt side, weighing just 30 pounds. One thing his mother always worried about his love for learning was his predilection to skip meals in lieu of it.